Driver Responsibility Buckle Up- NJ’s Seat Belt Law Car Seats Child Restraint Law Air Bags Car Condition Starting a Parked Car Steering Stopping Distances Proper Braking Driving Signals Driving in Reverse Turning Parking

Buckle Up- NJ’s Seat Belt Law The driver and all passengers MUST wear a seatbelt. Primary offense: driver, front seat passenger & children under age 18 Driver is responsible for all passengers under 18 Exemptions Vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966 Federal law vehicle Medical reason Verified by licensed physician

Seat Belts Save lives and improve a motorist’s chance of surviving a crash by 60% Chances of surviving a collision are three – four times better. Tips for seat belt use Seat belt test

Car Seats All child restraint systems built since Jan. 1, 1981 must be designed to pass tough safety tests. Infant car seat: protect a baby up to 20 pounds & 26 inches Facing rear Convertible car seat: Larger seat; Infant/ toddler up to 40 pounds & 40 inches; placed in vehicle facing backwards for a baby

Special Note… It is preferred that whenever possible, child car safety seats be placed in the backseat. However, if there is no backseat in the vehicle, move the front seat as far back as possible. NEVER place rear- facing infant safety seats in the front row of a vehicle with a front passenger- side air bag.

Child Restraint Law Children up to age 8/ 80 pounds MUST ride in federally approved safety/ booster seat in rear seat of vehicle. Children under age 8/over 80 pounds MUST be in rear seat & use a seat belt $54.00 fine

Car Condition Responsibility of all vehicle owners Backup lights Brake Lights Headlights Horn Steering Should always hold a straight course Should not vibrate (shimmy) Brakes Conventional disc & drum brakes Pump gently after driving through water to test & dry out Antilock braking system (ABS) Tested by applying steady pressure to brake pedal. NEVER pump or jerk steering wheel when braking

Starting a Parked Car Look behind, and in front Checklist: Windows: clean & clear Adjust seat: arms length Inside/outside rearview mirrors Seat belts- fastened Vehicle should be parked; emergency brake set Doors locked

Starting a Parked Car Good posture Eye checkup- every 2 years After starting the engine Turning & looking back; do not only depend on rearview mirrors Blind spots

Car Condition Tires Turn signals Windshield Snow & Ice Tire pressure should be checked often Never should be driven= less than 1/16 in. of thread (dime) Turn signals Windshield NJ laws prohibit add- on tinting on windshields and front side windows Snow & Ice Must remove snow/ ice before driving $25-$75 fine

Idling Your Vehicle Engine is running, car isn’t moving. Restrict vehicle idling to 3 minutes/ less. Unnecessary Harmful to vehicle & yourself fines: $250-$1,000 Idling stinks, and it’s against the law- turn the key and be idle free!

Steering Hand position9 & 3 o’clock position. Less chance of hand, wrist or arm injury if air bag is deployed. Never turn the wheel while gripping it from the inside of the rim. Steering wheel should be held firmly- not too tight. Keep vehicle in center of the lane Two lane road- keep to the right ABS- NEVER jerk the wheel while braking!

Hand Position

Hand- Over- Hand- Steering

Stopping Distances Depends on: Reaction time Weather & visibility conditions Vehicle weight Brake conditions Condition and type of tires Roadway conditions Speed The faster a vehicle is going the longer it will take to stop

Stopping Distances on Dry Surfaces for Passenger Vehicles:

Proper Braking Type of brake system Conventional drum & disc system ABS Do not pump brakes violently/ jerk the wheel Out of control Steady, gentle pressure should be applied to bring a vehicle to a controlled stop Should use right foot for both the brake & gas pedal Manual transmission- left foot for clutch

Driving Signals Always give proper signal: 100 feet Hand signals: Turning Changing lanes Stopping/ slowing down 100 feet Hand signals: Stopping/ slowing down: hand & arm downward, palm facing rear Right turn: hand and arm upward Left turn: hand and arm straight out Another signal= the horn (200 feet)

Hand Signals:

Driving in Reverse Make sure path is clear: Mirrors & turning to check. Turning the wheel to the right will direct the vehicle to the right. Steering the wheel to the left will direct the vehicle to the left. Reverse in a straight line Head & body should be turned to the right. Right hand and arm should be placed over the back of the front passenger seat Left hand grasp the top of the steering wheel 2-4 mph Do not turn forward until vehicle is stopped

Driving in Reverse (cont.) Other than reversing in a straight line, two hands must be on the wheel. Front of vehicle will swing in opposite direction of a turn.

Turning Motorist should decide well in advance where he/ she wants to turn (100 ft). The faster the traffic is moving, the sooner the motorist should plan his/her turn. If a turn is missed- NEVER back up.

Before turning, a motorist should always: Use mirrors to look behind & to both sides for other vehicles or people. Check for less visible vehicles: Motorcycles Bicycles Mopeds Signal first: Turn signals Hand signals Slow down before reaching an intersection. Keep a steady speed & follow pavement markings. Always stay in the same lane until the turn is finished. Make sure signal is turned off after the turn is completed.

The 3-point Turn (K turn) When turning a vehicle around, motorist should start from the right edge of the road. Choose a safe spot; good visibility Signal left; move forward slowly turning the steering wheel to the left Signal right & back slowly while turning the steering wheel to the right Next, move vehicle forward, signaling left, turning the steering wheel to the left. Finally- straighten the vehicles wheels

The 3-point Turn

Parking Always set the hand brake When parking a vehicle facing downhill: Hand brake should be set Vehicles wheels should be turned toward the curb When parking a vehicle facing uphill: Vehicles wheels should be turned away from the curb

Angle Parking Parking lots Curbs Entering an angle parking space: Watch for traffic Signal & begin to slow down Make sure rear of vehicle will clear parked cars Steer sharply into parking space & straighten wheels; centering the vehicle Shift to park; apply parking brake

Angle Parking A motorist should follow these rules when backing out of an angle parking space: Walk around; make sure nothing is in vehicle’s way Slowly move vehicle in reverse Tap horn to warn pedestrians Look back & to each side for other motorists Front of vehicle swings opposite to the direction of the turn Back up slowly- left front wheel passes rear bumper of vehicle parked on left Straighten the wheels

Parallel Parking Most common on city streets A motorist should: Find a parking spot large enough to fit vehicle Signal for a stop and to the right Pull up alongside vehicle in front 2-4 feet Turn & check to see that the way is clear Turn his/ her body- look out rear window; turn steering wheel all the way to the right When front of vehicle has cleared the rear bumper of vehicle in front- stop & check the angle Make sure back right wheel has not hit the curb Turn steering wheel all the way to the left- back up slowly Turn vehicle’s wheels straight & drive to the center of the parking space Vehicle’s tires should be no more than 6 inches from the curb

Parallel Parking Signal Stop & put RIGHT signal on Reverse: Turn steering wheel all the way to the RIGHT Stop & Check; Reverse; Turn steering wheel all the way to the LEFT Straighten out vehicle; 6 inches